Cardiac Rehabilitation

Cardiac Rehabilitation

Cardiac rehabilitation at Miami Cardiac & Vascular Institute is a physician-prescribed program for people who have most kinds of heart disease. Program participants may or may not have had a heart attack or heart surgery (or other heart procedures). Cardiac rehabilitation can often improved functional capacity, reduce symptoms and create a sense of well-being for patients.

What Conditions May Benefit From Cardiac Rehabilitation?

A cardiac rehabilitation program is designed to meet the needs of the individual. Conditions or cardiac procedures that may necessitate cardiac rehabilitation include:

Angina pectoris

Myocardial infarction (heart attack)

Post-open-heart surgery

Post-heart transplantation

Balloon angioplasty

Pacemaker placement

Stent placement

Congenital heart disease

Arrhythmias

Heart failure

People living with stable angina (chest pain), heart valve disease or congestive heart failure may also benefit from cardiac rehabilitation.

The Cardiac Rehabilitation Team

Cardiac rehabilitation programs can be conducted on an inpatient or outpatient basis. Many skilled professionals are part of the cardiac rehabilitation team, including:

Cardiologist or cardiovascular surgeon

Internist

Primary care physician

Registered nurse

Exercise physiologist/specialist

Registered dietitian/nutritionist

Certified diabetes educator​

Social worker

The Cardiac Rehabilitation Program

A cardiac rehabilitation program is designed to meet the needs of the individual patient, depending on the specific heart problem or disease, and should be supervised by a cardiologist and a team of cardiac professionals. Cardiac rehabilitation typically includes one hour of supervised exercise three times a week. The program may last four to 12 weeks, depending upon the patient’s condition and the physician prescription. The goal of cardiac rehabilitation is to help patients reverse their symptoms and maximize cardiac function. Activities include:

Establishing a progressive exercise program to build fitness and functional capacity

Providing educational classes to help adjust to or change the patient's lifestyle and habits, such as:

Counseling and educating the patient with regard to his or her specific heart condition or disease and the best management approach for that specific condition

Preparing the patient to return to work by equipping him or her to meet the physical and psychological demands of the job

Providing heart disease prevention awareness

​We strive to improve your overall heart health and reduce your risk of future heart disease. We want to help you enjoy a healthy and active lifestyle for years to come.

Ongoing Support

We recommend you continue to follow our rehabilitation program recommendations over time. The Institute offers support groups and community education programs that will help you continue on your heart-healthy journey.

Locations

Cardiac Rehabilitation services are available at the following Miami Cardiac & Vascular Institute locations: